Legato Launches AI Hearing Glasses to Improve Accessibility
Legato, a hearing technology startup, has announced that its flagship AI-based hearing glasses are now on sale. The product, named Legato Frames, incorporates the company's patented hearing-assistance technology into the arms of eyewear frames. The glasses start at $999 and are intended for adults with up to moderate hearing loss.
The launch is part of Legato's mission to make hearing care more accessible by tackling the cost, comfort, and stigma often associated with traditional hearing aids.
Traditional hearing aids typically rely on directional microphones to pick up sounds from a specific direction and can be less effective in noisy settings. Legato's approach is different: its AI-driven system separates voices from background noise, amplifying speech while reducing unwanted sounds.
Despite the open-ear design, sound from the frames is not broadcast to those nearby. A dual-speaker system directs audio toward the wearer and cancels escaping sound, reducing it by 99% just a few inches from the ear. All processing takes place on the glasses themselves, and the company says there are no cameras or recording capabilities.
The glasses weigh 34 grams with lenses and provide 10-12 hours of battery life. Legato Frames come in three styles and can be fitted with prescription lenses. They also support Bluetooth streaming for music and calls.
The official launch follows the startup's emergence from stealth a few weeks ago with $12 million in funding from Neotribe Ventures, Listen, and Village Global.
Legato was founded in 2024 by Mehul Trivedi and Steve Romine, who have extensive experience in wearables and hearing care from their time at Bose. At Bose, Trivedi led the development of Bose Frames, while Romine headed the hearing aids division. After leaving Bose, Trivedi joined EssilorLuxottica, where he oversaw smart eyewear initiatives and contributed to the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses. Romine became COO of hearing care company Audicus. The two then teamed up to explore the intersection of hearing technology and smart eyewear.
Legato Frames are available for purchase on the company's website or through select eye care providers in the U.S., where they are eligible for coverage by vision insurance.
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